When it comes to medical research on sex, most of the attention is on
sexually transmitted disease and sexual disfunction-Syphilis,
gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, impotence and frigidity. From this
point of view, having sex is a grim and risky business.

Yet sex is probably one of the most common, and certainly most
pleasurable activities we humans experience-indeed essential for the
survival of the species. Yet only a handful of studies exist to help
us understand and enhance the health benefits:

A study on aging from Duke in the 1970s found that for men the
frequency of sexual intercourse was associated with lower death rates.
For women the enjoyment of intercourse was associated with longer
life.

A Swedish study found increased risk of death in men who
gave up sexual intercourse.

A study published in 1976 found that
sexual dissatisfaction was a risk factor for heart attacks in women.
Now a new study published in the esteemed British Medical Journal
offers more good news. The findings suggest that men who have frequent
sex are less likely to die at an early age.

An intrepid group of researchers from Great Britain included a
question about sexual activity in a long-term study of health. The
authors studied nearly 1000 men aged 45 to 59 and living in or near
Caerphilly, Wales. The men were asked about the frequency of sexual
intercourse. They were divided into three groups: those who had sex
twice or more a week, an intermediate group, and those who reported
having sex less than monthly.

A decade later, researchers found that the death rate from all causes
for the least sexually active men was twice as high as that of the
most active. The death rate in the intermediate group was 1.6 times
greater than for the active group. A similar pattern of longevity and
frequency of orgasm was found for all causes of death, coronary heart
disease, and other causes.

Of course many questions arise with this type of study. Does the
frequency of orgasm cause the improved health? Does poor health cause
lower sexual activity? Or does some other factor such as physical
activity, alcohol, depressed mood, or "vital exhaustion" cause both
poor health and less sexual activity? The researchers did find that
strength of the results persisted even after adjusting for differences
in age, social class, smoking, blood pressure, and evidence of
existing coronary heart disease at the initial interview. This
suggests a more likely protective role of sexual activity.

To quote the researchers:
"The association between frequency of orgasm and mortality in the present study is at least-if not more-convincing on epidemiological and biological grounds than many of the associations reported in other studies and deserves further investigation to the same extent. Interventions programs could also be considered, perhaps based on the exciting, 'At least five a day' campaign aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption- although the numerical imperative may have to be adjusted."

More research is needed. Any volunteers?
Since the overall death rate was reduced 36% for an increase of 100 orgasm per year, one could easily imagine a new prescription for health:

Rx: Sexual Intercourse At least 2 x per week
Such a prescription might have few side effects and would be far more pleasurable than many other regimens often prescribed.
And even if sex doesn't prove to add years to life, it may add life to years.

For More Information
Davey Smith G, Frankel S, Yarnell J: Sex and death: Are they related? Findings from the Caerphilly cohort study. British Medical Journal 1997;315(7123):1641-44.

David S. Sobel, M.D., M.P.H., is a practicing physician in adult medicine and Medical Director of Patient Education and Health Promotion for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. He is physician lead for the......more

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